Old and hopefully not in the way.

[Quahaug]

Started my first Camino today, walking the 13km from Sarria to Morgade. I did a couple of side trips to see a church and a farm selling local cheese. I am 78 and this was a bit of a challenge. There were several climbs, one lasting a km and i had to stop a few times to catch my breath. Met some very nice people and although I walked for a spell with some, I eventually fell behind. Obviously I was passed more often then I passed pilgrims but I learned a valuable lesson; a lot of folks don’t look great from behind. I guess I’m in that group so no aspersions meant. I also
learned that a European Km is about a third longer than a North American Km, at least that’s the way it felt. Overall a good day and it gave me the confidence that I can do this all the way to Santiago. Buen Comino.

 

[trecile]

You're not old!

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/walking-the-camino-at-age-95.83382/

 

[J Willhaus]

Started my first Camino today, walking the 13km from Sarria to Morgade. I did a couple of side trips to see a church and a farm selling local cheese. I am 78 and this was a bit of a challenge. There were several climbs, one lasting a km and i had to stop a few times to catch my breath. Met some very nice people and although I walked for a spell with some, I eventually fell behind. Obviously I was passed more often then I passed pilgrims but I learned a valuable lesson; a lot of folks don’t look great from behind. I guess I’m in that group so no aspersions meant. I also
learned that a European Km is about a third longer than a North American Km, at least that’s the way it felt. Overall a good day and it gave me the confidence that I can do this all the way to Santiago. Buen Comino.

You're doing great! Don't worry about keeping up. Enjoy the walk! You are not in the way and people in Spain have a much greater appreciation for older pilgrims like us that you can possibly imagine. Glad you made those side trips and keep doing that. Too many pilgrims are just charging along without taking time to experience the Camino as you are doing.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@Quahaug , I think it's hard for an individual to be in the way on the Camino! We all walk at different paces and most of us catch somebody soon or later. Sometimes multiple times in one day!

I caught up with an older gentleman (Doug) earlier this year. I hadn't spoken with anybody else all day so slowed down and chatted with him for a while. An extremely interesting man. At 1 point he mentioned a lovely young American Girl, a tiny slip of a thing as he put it who had offered to carry his bag up a particularly steep Hill. He declined but was very touched.
Eventually he decided to stop for a rest and I moved on.
2 days later I caught up with a large group of people of varying ages and nationalities, including one tiny little slip of a girl...... . Naturally, I mentioned meeting Doug, and everybody immediately said "Doug, oh we love Doug, what a wonderful man! What an absolute inspiration he is, did you know he's over 80? He's so interesting, he's such a character" - and so on .
In short they all got something different from their meeting, but they had all bought each other pleasure.
Sometimes I cannot help but feel that age is not necessarily a barrier, rather an advantage. The camino is definitely one such place. Nobody expects an older person to walk faster, nobody expects them to put in long mileage, or expresses surprise when they choose to shorten a day.
I may or may not slow down to chat with a younger person, I nearly always slow down to chat with an older one!

 

[Leigharev]

My heart bursts with appreciation and respect for you and your Camino. You inspire me and I pray I will be walking the Camino when I am your age.

 

[tlandry]

Started my first Camino today, walking the 13km from Sarria to Morgade. I did a couple of side trips to see a church and a farm selling local cheese. I am 78 and this was a bit of a challenge. There were several climbs, one lasting a km and i had to stop a few times to catch my breath. Met some very nice people and although I walked for a spell with some, I eventually fell behind. Obviously I was passed more often then I passed pilgrims but I learned a valuable lesson; a lot of folks don’t look great from behind. I guess I’m in that group so no aspersions meant. I also
learned that a European Km is about a third longer than a North American Km, at least that’s the way it felt. Overall a good day and it gave me the confidence that I can do this all the way to Santiago. Buen Comino.

It’s not a race, but an individual journey, go the speed that works for you, take the breaks watch the people and enjoy your achievement.

 

[Flig]

I also learned that a European Km is about a third longer than a North American Km

I found the exact same thing!

 

[Quahaug]

Finished my second day from Morgade to Portomarin. Except for the final 100 meters it was a joyful walk. Fortunately met such sweet folks and traded stories about our lives. Looking forward with a little trepidation about the climb out of Portomarin but it doesn’t look too onerous. I did manage to pass a few pilgrims today even at my slow pace. One was on crutches but I’ll take any credit I can get. Buen Comino.

 

[J Willhaus]

Finished my second day from Morgade to Portomarin. Except for the final 100 meters it was a joyful walk. Fortunately met such sweet folks and traded stories about our lives. Looking forward with a little trepidation about the climb out of Portomarin but it doesn’t look too onerous. I did manage to pass a few pilgrims today even at my slow pace. One was on crutches but I’ll take any credit I can get. Buen Comino.

It is a nice uphill slog most of the day tomorrow. You may want to break it up a little and stay halfway between Portomarin and Palas del Rey. It is a lovely section.

 

[Quahaug]

It is a nice uphill slog most of the day tomorrow. You may want to break it up a little and stay halfway between Portomarin and Palas del Rey. It is a lovely section.

I’m planning on doing that. The first 5k looks like uphill along a highway.

 

[J Willhaus]

I’m planning on doing that. The first 5k looks like uphill along a highway.

Yes, there is 2 routes outside of town. Go right and you walk through the forest to the old factory. Go left and you walk along the lake and then up on a secondary road. The two routes meet at the factory. I have taken both ways. Just take your time and maybe detour after Gonzar to see the Iron Age hill town site. (Castro).

 

[Quahaug]

Yes, there is 2 routes outside of town. Go right and you walk through the forest to the old factory. Go left and you walk along the lake and then up on a secondary road. The two routes meet at the factory. I have taken both ways. Just take your time and maybe detour after Gonzar to see the Iron Age hill town site. (Castro).

Got your recommendation late and had already done most of the main route along the highway. It was a real chore but doable. Stopped in Ventas de Naron for the night. That was about all I could manage for the day. Thanks for your interest.

 

[David Tallan]

I also learned that a European Km is about a third longer than a North American Km, at least that’s the way it felt.

Well, I think not all of North America is the same here. If you see a sign saying you are 10 from your destination, it will be half again what you are expecting if you are North American from the USA. For us Canadians, our expectations are a bit different.

 

[Shazenalan]

Started my first Camino today, walking the 13km from Sarria to Morgade. I did a couple of side trips to see a church and a farm selling local cheese. I am 78 and this was a bit of a challenge. There were several climbs, one lasting a km and i had to stop a few times to catch my breath. Met some very nice people and although I walked for a spell with some, I eventually fell behind. Obviously I was passed more often then I passed pilgrims but I learned a valuable lesson; a lot of folks don’t look great from behind. I guess I’m in that group so no aspersions meant. I also
learned that a European Km is about a third longer than a North American Km, at least that’s the way it felt. Overall a good day and it gave me the confidence that I can do this all the way to Santiago. Buen Comino.

I have been inspired by the people over 70 that I have seen or met on the Caminos I have walked. That had nothing at all to do with how fast they walked - I was inspired because they walked it.

 

[WGroleau]

I also
learned that a European Km is about a third longer than a North American Km, …

And most of my fellow Americans say, “Km? What’s that?”

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

And most of my fellow Americans say, “Km? What’s that?”

Well, judging from the responses above you could say it's a mile on the Camino

 

[Quahaug]

On my sr one to last day. Lavacolla tomorrow than Santiago. Thanks for all the encouragement. I think it was instrumental in cementing my mindset. Burn Camino